UAE Team Emirates’ 8 day Maglia Rosa run comes to an end

As Jan Polanc crossed today’s finish line in 28th place, 7:41” behind stage winner Richard Carapaz (Movistar), it signalled the end of an unbelievable run of form for UAE Team Emirates, which saw not one, but two of its riders wear the Maglia Rosa over eight consecutive days in this year’s Giro d’Italia.

Despite dropping out of General Classification contention, Polanc (photo Bettini) was able to hold his head high after wearing the leader’s jerseys for two brutal days in the Italian mountains. The Slovenian rider fought valiantly alongside his team mates Valerio Conti and Diego Ulissi as they attempted to defend the Maglia Rosa, but the blistering attacks of the GC favourites were too much for the riders to match.

Polanc now sits in seventh position in the GC standings, 3:49” behind the Ecuadorian rider Carapaz.

Commenting the stage, Polanc said: “On the first climb of the day I was good, but then I struggled. Valerio and I tried hard to limit the gap, but I must say goodbye to the pink jersey. The Giro d’Italia is not over though, we will try to seize future opportunities and achieve some more good results for the team.”

Stage 14 Results
1 Richard Carapaz (Ecu) Movistar 4:02:23”
2 Simon Yates (GBr) Mitchelton Scott +1:32”
3 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain Merida +1:54”
28 Jan Polanc (Slo) UAE Team Emirates +7:41”

General Classification Standings  
1 Richard Carapaz (Ecu) Movistar 58:35:34
2 Primoz Roglic (Slo) Jumbo Visma +0:07”
3 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain Merida +1:47”
7 Jan Polanc (Slo) UAE Team Emirates +3:49”

Stage 15 will take the peloton from Ivrea to Como along a 232km route. The first 160kms are set to be played out on pan flat roads before the race hits its three categorised climbs, which come in quick succession and culminate with a fast and technical descent to the finish line.